Page 31 of Madden

We meet downstairs in the front a few minutes later. He’s wearing a dark pair of aviators, his gray polo, and black dress slacks.

“You wanna tell me what this is about?” he asks, following me outside. I could’ve waited until he pulled the SUV around like he’d prefer, but Brielle is almost off work, and I don’t want to waste time fuckin’ around.

“I’m meeting up with someone.”

“You care to tell me who this someone is?” He glances over, his gaze burning into the side of my face.

“You promise me this will stay between the two of us?”

He’s silent.

“For now. Please,” I add.

He nods. “Yeah, you got it. What’s going on?”

“You remember the girl from the interview a few weeks ago? The one who came out with us to Whiskey Barrel.”

“Yeah?”

“I want to pick her up and take her out for dinner and a drink, but I’d like to keep it on the down low if we can.”

“You do realize that wherever you go, there won’t be an easy way of getting you in and out without drawing attention.”

“I’ve got it figured out. I just need you to get me to the front of Limelight as soon as you can.”

He opens the back door to the SUV, and I climb in.

As luck would have it, we ran into traffic on the way there but still managed to make it outside on time. Glancing around outside the front, I’m relieved she wasn’t left waiting when she’s nowhere to be found.

I keep my eyes trained on the front entrance. When she walks outside shortly after, her long blond hair down and swept over one shoulder, all the oxygen is nearly sucked out of the small space.

She’s carrying a laptop bag on her shoulder, and her handbag hangs from her arm. She crosses her arms in front of her chest, glancing from side to side, searching for me.

I quickly reach for the handle and push the door open. Abel scolds me, telling me to wait for him, but I ignore it when her eyes land on mine.

She’ll probably deny this later, but I could’ve sworn a smile was playing on her lips.

I let my eyes trail down her body, taking in her fitted black dress, her tan legs, and black patent heels.

We walk toward each other, and the closer we get, the more her smile forms. She drops her hands when she reaches me, lifting her eyes to meet mine.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispers.

I take in the subtle rise and fall of her chest and her hands fisted at her side.

“It’s good to see you again,” I say, fixated on her mouth when she bites on the corner of her lip.

The sidewalk is full of people, so when I reach for her hand to lead her to the SUV, she quickly jerks it away.

“I don’t want anyone to see us,” she mutters.

I nod, stepping in close behind her as I usher her toward the door.

Abel stands waiting for us, and I don’t miss the curious look he sends my way.

I open the door for Brielle, and she climbs inside. As soon as it shuts behind her, Abel whispers under his breath, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Not right now, please.”

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